Every day volunteers help us with our program by working in the barn, caring for our therapy horses and other animals, preparing horses and participants for therapeutic sessions, and sidewalking with disabled riders.
Volunteer opportunities include stable anagement, horse care, client assistance, fundraising and administrative tasks which are performed every day of the week from 8:30 am -12:30 pm, with additional afternoon shifts available for qualified applicants. Therapeutic riding sessions are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday mornings between 9 am and noon, and Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 pm. None of the activities listed below are particularly strenuous or difficult to learn. We like to alternate activities to increase volunteers’ skills and interest, however volunteers do not need be able to perform all activities, and most times may choose to perform duties he or she prefers.
Volunteer Activities
- Sidewalking – walking beside a rider who is mounted, helping to ensure his or her safety and security while in the saddle. Sidewalkers are specially trained to avoid injury in the event of a fall or emergency dismount. Generally sidewalkers are not asked to walk in excess of two 50 minute sessions per morning and are given breaks between sessions.
- Leading – guiding a specially trained horse before, during and after a rider is mounted, as directed by the riding instructor. Volunteers undergo training to ensure their comfort and confidence in horse handling and leading prior to being assigned this duty. Volunteers interested in enhancing their skills are encouraged to take part in QLF’s Leader Program. We have leading clinics according to volunteer need. Spaces are limited so please inquire early to secure your reservation. Graduates receive a special polo style shirt with QLF’s logo and “Leader” status embroidered on the left breast.
- Grooming and Tacking Up – includes brushing and preparing the horse and riding equipment (tack) for a rider, and/or taking off tack and caring for the horse after a ride is completed. Special training for this task is also provided.
- Miscellaneous Duties – barn chores, greeting riders and theircompanions, preparing riders, tidying up, offering drinks,feeding horses and other animals, and other duties.
Additional Quantum Leap Farm Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteers also serve on our Board of Directors and participate in fundraising and events. They help with clerical work including fundraiser mailings, filing, record keeping and making and answering phone calls. Handymen and women volunteer to help with upkeep and maintenance of our facility.
Additional volunteer opportunities include volunteer management and recognition, donor recognition, marketing and advertising, operational efficiency and record keeping, and enhanced use of on-line opportunities for fundraising and donor cultivation.